Central Health’s Valadez is unfairly labeled ‘controversial’

Cynthia Valadez board member at Central Health who was reappointed this week. credit: Matthew Lemke,

There tends to be an abundance of group-think, and in some cases, elitism, on too many Austin-area boards and commissions that govern or help craft rules for how public dollars are spent, neighborhoods are zoned, and the quality and availability of publicly-financed healthcare services for the working poor and people in dire need.

That is why Travis County Commissioners were right to reappoint Cynthia Valadez to Central Health’s governing board. If any board needs an outsider voice, it’s that one.

Yet, she has been labeled ‘controversial,’ essentially for speaking her mind, which Valadez is not shy about doing. The board could use that kind of independence.

Valadez’s life and views have been shaped by decades of community organizing and advocacy for civil rights as a member of LULAC – League of United Latin American Citizens. One of her top priorities is demystifying the workings of Central Health’s governing board and providing greater transparency for the public. That is a worthy goal for Travis County’s health district, particularly since its nine board members are all appointed: Four are appointed by the Travis County Commissioners Court; four by the Austin City Council; and one is jointly appointed by both. Though none are elected, they levy taxes and oversee publicly-financed budgets — just as other locally elected officials do.

To improve transparency, Valadez has advocated for televising board meetings. That is not controversial.

“I believe we need a more transparent and open system. There has been a lot of concern and comments about a perception that Central Health lacks transparency,” she told me. “We need accessibility, openness and more transparency. The best way to do that is to televise our meetings – not just put them on video or live-stream them online.”

But why television?

“Because there still is a digital divide for many, especially those who are living below the poverty line,” she said. “But virtually every household – not matter what the income – has at least one television.”

She has a point.

Valadez also brings a welcome perspective to the board as the mother of a special needs adult daughter with significant physical and mental ailments. As such, she has had first-hand experience from a consumer standpoint navigating Central Health’s healthcare system.

Valadez also wants Central Health to adopt policies similar to the city of Austin’s that encourage or direct Central Health to do business with vendors and professionals throughout the Central Health network that reflect the diversity of the community.

Valadez also envisions the board moving from an appointed one to an elected one to make it more accountable to the public it serves. That also is a point worth exploring. As it stands, the board continues raising taxes to maximum or near maximum levels allowed by law before triggering a rollback election that gives voters a say. Certainly, there is less accountability in a system in which those who are raising taxes and spending the public’s money are not directly accountable to those who are affected by those decisions.

For fiscal year 2016, the Central Health board has agreed on a total budget of $295.8 million financed by a tax rate of 11.78 cents per $100 of property valuation. Though that is a 0.86 cents reduction in the tax rate from 2015, tax bills will rise. That is because the board set the rate at a level to bring in more money on homes and other properties, whose values have gone up.

“Frankly, Cynthia was a controversial appointment and has been a controversial member of the board since then,” Deece Eckstein, the county’s intergovernmental relations coordinator, told Roser.

Valadez, who was first appointed seven months ago to finish a term ending Dec. 31, was unanimously reappointed to a full four-year term.

That’s good because if her views are considered “controversial,” then Travis County Commissioners need to appoint more controversial people to the governing board.

Update: This story was updated to reflect Central Health’s response to its HUB policies and the final tax rate information for 2016. It includes a correction for how board members are appointed to Central Health.

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